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Emigrate to South Africa - Visa Information

Moving to another country - especially one so far from family and friends - is a big decision and being prepared will help the process be much smoother and stress-free. Your biggest concern after you've made the decision to emigrate will be securing a South Africa visa for you and your family.

To move permanently to South Africa and to get a visa, you will need to fall into one of the applicable groupings that the South African government has determined.

This should not be considered emigration advice, and visa information can change. For professional advice and the most up-to-date information, suggest you contact a qualified migration specialist for more information or the South Africa Department of Home Affairs.

Temporary residence permits

Business permits

Foreigners who are contemplating investing in the South African economy by establishing a business or investing in an existing business must apply for a business permit. As an applicant, you will be required to make a financial capital contribution, which can be reduced for certain industries or business types.

Work permits

Work permits are issued only to foreigners where South African citizens with the relevant skills are not available for the job. These permits are open-ended and applications must be made at any regional office of the South African Department of Home Affairs or nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad.

General work permits

General work permits are valid for the duration of the contract of employment.

Exceptional skills work permits

Exceptional skills work permits are only valid for three years.

Intra-company transfer work permits

Multi-national companies may transfer an existing employee from a foreign branch of a company to a branch in South Africa. These employees must apply for intra-company transfer work permits. Intra-company transfer work permits are valid for two years and cannot be renewed or extended.

Corporate permits

A corporate permit allows a corporate entity such as a mine group, farmer, etc. to employ a pre-determined number of skilled/semi-skilled/unskilled workers. There is no fixed validity period for such permits, as the validity period is determined by the corporation upon application.

Study permits

Study permits are valid for the duration of the course for which they are issued, alternatively 36 months for school and 24 months for other institutions.

Exchange Permits

Exchange permits may be issued to foreigners under the age of 25 who wish to participate in cultural, economic or social exchange programmes administered by the State or a public higher educational institution in conjunction with a foreign state. The validity period of an exchange permit depends on the length of the programme for which it is issued and usually does not exceed 12 months. Exchange permits can not be renewed or extended.

Retired person permits

Retired persons’ permits may be issued to persons who wish to retire in South Africa, provided that you can comply with certain financial regulations.

Family permits

As an immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident you may be issued a relative's permit once the financial means as contemplated in the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) have been complied with. Relative’s permits are valid for a minimum period of 24 months and may be extended.

Medical treatment permits

Medical Treatment permits are valid for six months only.

Permanent residency (immigration)

In terms of granting Permanent Residency Permits, emphasis is placed on immigrants who are in a position to make a meaningful contribution to broadening the economic base of South Africa.

In order to make an application for a permanent residency permit, applicants must first submit representation to the Minister of Home Affairs motivating why he or she should be declared not to be a prohibited person or an undesirable person.

Direct residence permits

This category of permit is applicable to foreigners who have been residing in South Africa on the basis of their work permits for a minimum period of five years, their spouses and also to dependents of South African citizens/permanent residence permit holders.

Move day expectations were not matched, they were exceeded

You seemed competitive and you were very quick to respond to our request for a quote. No improvement required, we didn't know what to expect but our expectations were exceeded. So, our move day expectations were not matched, they were exceeded. Brian, Mike P and Dave L were absolutely brilliant. They were the best and least stressful part of our move. They should be commended. Just a thank you to the team, especially Brian, Mike P and Dave L

Written by: Belinda Hughes

House Removal

Date published: 18/3/2019

8.8 / 10 stars

It was an incredible service

Friendly service right from the beginning, a really friendly and personable visit from the consultant and the competitive quote. For us, nothing could have been done to improve it. It was an incredible service. They were so helpful, nothing was too much for them. They were really nice guys and the natural banter between us and them made a stressful time enjoyable.

Written by: Rob McGibbon

House Removal

Date published: 18/3/2019

10 / 10 stars

Just pleased I chose you, took a lot of worry off my mind

Initial survey was very thorough and this stuck with me. I had 3 other quotes some cheaper some dearer they just didn’t give me the confidence of Britannia. Good lads a mixture of youth and experience worked hard. I think with the younger members of the crew a little more training on how to get larger items of furniture out of a room would be a help to them i.e., angles and positioning. The experienced lads can’t be around all the time but this is not a criticism of the crew.

Just pleased I chose you, took a lot of worry off my mind

Written by: Stuart Lampitt

House Removal

Date published: 8/3/2019

10 / 10 stars

I couldn’t have asked for a better service

Have used your company before and were equally impressed, particularly by the hard working removal men. They were amazing, they made the whole move totally stress free, I couldn’t have asked for a better service

Written by: Alison Mitchell

House Removal

Date published: 26/2/2019

9.7 / 10 stars

Very courteous & went above all expectations!

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Outstanding crew! Friendly, professional, very courteous and they went above all expectations! John, Ian, Clive and Rob were absolutely fantastic, we couldn't have asked for a better crew, please thank them for us!

Written by: Amy Tresize

House Removal

Date published: 25/2/2019

10 / 10 stars

They were fantastic!!

We had used them previously on moving from South Africa to the UK. Diana was great and extremely helpful. For us the team that assisted on the day were fantastic and couldn't of been more helpful. They were fantastic!!

Written by: Kate Wolstenholme

House Removal

Date published: 21/2/2019

10 / 10 stars

Rescued us from a stressful situation

Let down at short notice by original company, Britannia Bradshaw were able to step in and rescue us from a stressful situation. We were so fortunate to have their support. Excellent team from Stafford, worked very hard and remained courteous and helpful throughout.

Written by: Denise Boardman

House Removal

Date published: 12/2/2019

10 / 10 stars

I've recommended you

Offered the best quote for removal, and were very accommodating and professional. Very friendly and hard working. The packaging was done very well. I've recommended you to another lady who is moving her family to Canada.

Written by: Madeline McPherson

House Removal

Date published: 25/1/2019

10 / 10 stars

Amazing throughout

Amazing throughout - Especially with the delivery abroad and last minute date changes...the most professional of the 3 companies we obtained quotes from. Friendly, helpful and respectful

Written by: Andy Brotherton

House Removal

Date published: 3/1/2019

10 / 10 stars

They made everything so easy

You were recommended by a friend who had used you in the past. Lynne was fantastic from start to finish. Having never used a removal firm before, I had lots of questions and Lynne answered every single one promptly and in full. It was a comfort to hear her voice when she answered the phone because I knew that whatever I was calling for would be dealt with perfectly

John and Alan could not have been more helpful. They made everything so easy and were delightful to work with to get the house cleared. I didn't see them at the destination but my partner, Gary was very impressed with their efficiency and enthusiasm to get the new house just as he wanted it. The only thing that would have made things easier would have been to have had more rolls of tape with the boxes. I received 3 rolls and 45 boxes which ran out quite quickly. I bought more tape but the quality I could buy was far less superior than yours and so the removal team had to re-tape a lot of boxes before they moved them, particularly down the stairs. Apart from that tiny issue (which caused more of a problem for your team than for me) the service could not have been any better.